1. Cracks and weak points develop in the foundation over the years with freeze and thaw cycles and the original waterproof coating begins to fail. The result is water that can freely enter these cracks and weak points, and end up in your basement. The largest weak point exists all the way around your foundation inside your basement where the wall and floor meet. There are 3 sections to a foundation – the wall, the footing (on which the walls sit), and the floor. There is a seam where these three sections meet. Water enters at that seam.

Concrete walls and floors also expand and contract over time. This movement causes hairline cracks through which water can enter. All basement foundations go through a settling process and with the weight of the home on top, this settling also creates movement which causes hairline cracks in the walls and floor.

2. The original backfill becomes hard and compressed over time not allowing surface water to penetrate and make its way down to the drainage pipes around the bottom of your foundation. This original drainage pipes also becomes clogged with mud and roots and will not drain water away from the foundation or slow the process down considerably allowing water to build up and enter your basement at the weak points.

3.  Water that cannot penetrate the ground can makes its way to your home and soak into the basement foundation wall at the surface.

4. Ground water at the bottom of your foundation reaches a saturation point and begins to rise upward, flooding the area under the foundation. Water is able to enter the basement where the wall and floor meet, and through any other cracks or weak points that exist.

5. As surface water coming from above meets the rising ground water table below, with clogged or failing drainage pipes not allowing water to exit, the water builds up and creates water pressure. This pressure then forces the water through cracks and weak points that exist in the walls, seam and floor.

** Water moves through the foundation in stages. As water enters cracks and weak points, you notice dampness or discoloration. As the foundation absorbs the water, you begin to notice mold, a white powder, peeling paint etc. Next, the water works its way right through the foundation, and now you notice water inside. Finally, as water continues to work through the foundation, more serious structural problems can occur, such as bowing walls, mortar deterioration, and undermining.